Sometimes, as I am writing and posting, I am so eager to share the positive spin and the productive pathway that I miss the opportunity. The opportunity is the one where I share that my life has not been easy or without challenge. This came to mind when I sat talking with two young woman whose lives are feeling overwhelming for them and really out of their ability to not only control but even to influence. As I listened and then spoke, I was intent on sharing news about empowerment and productive steps they would each benefit from taking but I could see that my impact was not what I needed for it to be. I switched the gears and shared information about my life that I rarely disclose.
I gave them tidbits and they knew immediately that I understood their pain from a very personal perspective. I knew it was important to take this step and to trust that it was necessary. My hope is that the impact of the reality I share with them will be sustaining and will motivate them each to do what is needed for them to find happiness. It is my prayer that they will each come to recognize the ways in which they have tremendous influence over the course of the life they are in.
I spent an afternoon with two of my other favorite ladies, much in contrast to the ones just mentioned — these gals are in their late 90s. 
They are beautiful, joyful, personable, in their right mind in every manner, and very appreciative of the life they each have and the lives they have each lived. These are women I inherited from my dearly departed mother. I love them both — Mary and Josephine, and marvel at their tenacity and longevity. One lives in a facility for seniors and the other remains in her own private home. Both are amazing and offer no complaints but only daily gratitude for their circumstance. Very healthy. They have both known strife, heartache, tragedy, and then amazing joy. They both have amazing faith — at 96 years old.
I am still young, looking optimistically to my future, and happy with my success but it is not ever at the expense of recalling the agony I have had to face in every dimension of my life — with respect to the death of my loved ones, my business and personal financial disasters, significant relationships that have crumbled, and challenges to my own health. I’ve had to dive down deep and make peace with the reality that it is a true statement that failure is the invitation for contemplation and acknowledgement which leads to exquisite discomfort that propels us to reach for relief in the way of success. I have read about this, watched others go through it, and experienced it firsthand.
YES!
My life has changed massively over time and the pathway continues to be awesome….as long as I am tuned into my spirit, my mind, my heart, my purpose, and the goodness of my journey. My daily prayers are all about appreciation and a desire and request to work in the light of what is good and healthy and productive. Each day for me is about attempts — to try, to work, to achieve, to reach for the better, to strive for excellence. I take time daily to put myself in the position to rejoice — 
about the orange plant I have had for 35 years which produces mini oranges for me in my living room.
I rejoice every time I am on the water front and embracing the beach and sea.
Join me, build your inner strength, ask to find your core purpose, invest in your happiness, believe in the power of love. All of this is your blessing. We are all on this pathway together, share it, embrace it, believe.
